NEW ORLEANS — Thomas Morstead is picking up awards as easily as he does pinning opposing teams inside their own 20-yard-line.
The New Orleans Saints punter earned his second NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award on Tuesday after another stellar performance this past weekend. In the team’s 13-6 road win over Jacksonville, Morstead had five of his six punts landed inside the Jaguars’ 15-yard line. Morstead’s six punts averaged 41.8 yards.
Morstead had previously won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award after his Week 3 performance against the Seattle Seahawks — also on the road. In that contest, Morstead had six punts go for 324 yards, including one that traveled 64 yards. Morstead was also named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.
The 11-year veteran, and 2012 Pro Bowl selection, is one of only two players remaining from the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl team that are currently on the roster — the other being of course quarterback Drew Brees who is currently recovering from thumb surgery.
In six games this season, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Morstead is averaging 45.9 yards on 26 punts and has had 17 of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
New Orleans (5-1) returns to action this Sunday with a road game at Chicago (3-2). Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m.